Sorry I didn't upload yesterday; I'm trying to upload two stories at once. So, I have to split my attention evenly between the two. So, bear with me for a bit longer. And unfortunately, I'm going to France on Saturday so this story will once again have a bit of a hectic schedule. Sorry about that. But anyway, onto the climax.

CHAPTER 9

Determination and hopelessness.

Irida was getting worried. Adaman and Rei left Jubilife five days ago. And they hadn't even used the mirror system to notify that they everything was set up. she and Akari had taken to pacing either in front of the mirror device on top of the Galaxy Team headquarters, or at the entrance of Jubilife itself. But no news of any kind had come from Coronet. Kamado had sent security core members investigate the mountain, but no movement of any kind was detected up there. They didn't want to get too close however, in case Volo tried something devious.

So, everyone was left to wonder about what happened to the Diamond Clan leader and the hero of Hisui. But that wondering came to a dramatic halt on the 6th day since their departure. Irida and Akari came down from the mirror device to see, what was becoming a normal sight. Possibly the entire population of the town rushing towards the front gate.

The two women were curious about what the commotion was about. Their queries were answered when a rather battered looking Braviary came flying towards the town, with an even more battered looking Rei. Akari gasped and ran over to him, checking to see if he was alright. The boy looked like he was hit by an avalanche. He was covered in gashes and bruises, but he was alive and conscious, "which was a first" Irida thought to herself.

When Braviary landed, it was immediately given to Sabi so that she could treat it. rei was in a panicked state as he was trying to untangle himself from the pad that Braviary carried. But his injuries made it hard for him. Akari bent down and undid them, then immediately began slathering a potion all over him. Irida kept her eyes fixed on the sky, waiting to see Adaman return. At first, she looked out for Sabi's Braviary, but then she remembered that Akari had Rei's, so Rei had ridden home on that.

Then she remembered that part of Kamado's plan was for Adaman to form his connection with Dialga, so he started watching for that. But then she noticed that Rei's injuries had healed enough, and he was starting to try to freak out again. Irida turned to him and asked, "Where's Adaman?" This caused Rei to stop panicking immediately. It was clear that the boy's thoughts were racing. Eventually, he replied with; "It was a trap."

This caused gasps to fill the street. Suddenly finding herself panic-stricken, and she asked him to elaborate. Rei panted a bit, once again gathering his thoughts, then said, "We found where Volo has been hiding." "WHERE?!" Kamado interrupted. "At the back of the temple, there's a small crack that he fit through." Kamado looked like he was ready to kick something. But Rei wasn't done yet. He continued, saying, "Anyway, I found the hole he was hiding in, but Adaman discovered a detailed picture map of a plan to bring Darkrai into this world." Rei paused after this, but then said, "And to kill me."

Akari gasped, again. But Rei still wasn't done. "This mark isn't real," he continued, feeling the spot where his mark was, "and Volo made sure to get us onto Coronet. He was ready for us. He caused the Temple to collapse and an avalanche to fall. I was hit full force by it, but Adaman saved me with Sabi's Braviary. But before he could save himself, Volo struck him with a massive boulder, causing him to be thrown off the mountain."

This time, it was Irida's turn to gasp. "Is he alright?" she asked, desperately. Rei sighed, then said, "I don't know. But if he is, Volo has him now." Irida gasped, and she could feel hot tears falling from her face. "We need to go and get him" she yelled, hurriedly getting to her feet and running to the gate. But before she could get very far, Kamado yelled out, "Don't go near that mountain Irida!" She turned to look at him, and saw a look of cold, calculated fury in his eyes. "We need a proper plan of action if we're to rescue him. And when we have that plan, you're not going. Not until Volo is properly neutralised. But until then, you're to stay here!"

But Irida wasn't having it. "But Volo could kill Adaman by then. If we're to rescue him, it needs to be now!" And with that, she turned on her heel and began to sprint from the town. But she had only just left the gate, when a security core member shot a dart into her neck. She fell as a sudden drowsiness overcame her. "That's a dart laced with sleeping powder, made for wild pokémon" the member explained as Irida faded out. "I'm sorry."

Irida awoke in the room she stayed in. she tried to open the door, but it was locked. "Oh good, you're awake," said a voice, Kamado's voice, came from the other side of the door. "Let me out!" Irida replied. Kamado sighed. "I'm sorry Irida, but I'm afraid I cannot do that" Kamado replied. "Because we need you to prevent Darkrai from returning. If you go and try to save your boyfriend, you'll just be playing into Volo's hands. And I care too much about the people of this region to risk it over the life of one man."

Irida wanted to argue about how Adaman wasn't her boyfriend, but held her tongue, because someone who didn't have feelings for someone wouldn't try to risk their own life and that of the whole region over said person. "So, until we have a proper plan in motion," Kamado continued, "you'll be remaining here." And with that, the sound of footsteps leaving came from the door, leaving Irida alone for a bit.

But about two hours later, something hit her window. She opened it to find Arezu and Palina standing outside of it. "What are you doing here?" she asked them. "We're here to help you" Palina called back. "So that you can save Adaman" added Arezu. Arezu had a rope ready, which she prepared throw it, then stopped. "What are you doing!?" Irida asked, "Is someone coming?"

Arezu and Palina smirked at each other, then said at the same time, "We'll help you if you tell us once and for all, do you like Adaman?" Irida was ready to argue that she didn't, but as with Kamado, she knew that with her actions she couldn't argue, so she just nodded her head, with her face bright red.

Arezu and Palina quietly celebrated, then Arezu threw the rope up. Irida climbed down and was tackled into a hug by her two friends. Then, they quietly led her to the back entrance that was installed recently. Once they were out, Arezu handed Sabi's Braviary to her in its pokéball. They wished her luck and disappeared back in to try and cover their tracks. Irida sighed, then ran to the Fieldlands, and hopping onto the Braviary and riding off to Mt. Coronet. "Hold on Adaman," she said to herself, "I'm coming."

Ok, that chapter was a bit of a mess and I'd like to apologise for that. But I still think it's a good chapter. And I'm sorry, but this chapter probably won't be updated until Sunday, at best. That is because, like I said, I'm trying to upload two stories at once over on Ao3. But with that, I'll see you whenever chapter 10 comes out.